The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-12-29

much more comprehend my meaning
through the rush and roar of the train.
and hiss OF escaping steam. as the en-.
CINE rolled by at greatly reduced
speed; but / saw him climb back and
CONNIE nee setting the brakes of the
tender. With a terrible roar, and
grinding of the brakes upon the
wheels. the train passed
81 closed and locked the switch up.
on the main line. and started back for
the station. know the special must
have stopped there. else, ere this. it
would have been upon u.s. Yes! Sure
enough-coming in sight of the sta
tion-there she stood. safe and sound.
and upon the siding beside 1t stood the
freight. now come to a full stop
The platform in front of The little
depot was filled with people. passen-
gers of the special and train men. ]
saw the boy, still holding the red fag,
in the arms Of the superintendent.
Crowded about him were president,
board of directors and other nota-
bles. invited guests of the road.
with their ladies. numbering full
TIVE nty-five people. who certainly.
some of them if not all. owed their life
to the little fellow. Upon reaching
the station l was ut once the center of
the excited throng. all eager for an
explanation. In rs few words as
possible 1 gave. in answer to the
superintendent inquiry. my story
how the baby hal discovered the ap-
preaching freight, how l had Instantly
placed him with the flag. which. it
seems, had been the means Of stopping
them, how 1 had fastened to the
switch. arriving just in time to put the
freight upon the siding, and that was
all.
':All-no! This was followed by an
impromptu directors meeting in my.
little seven-by-nine station-a direct
or,' meeting in which ladies' took
prominent part. / was called in with
my wife-who had run to the station.
alarmed by the unusal excitement
and the boy. Speeches were made
which brought the blush to my cheeks
and tears to my wife's eyes, tears of
joy and pride in the boy.
Yes. sir! They voted me two thou
sand dollars for prompt action and
heroic conduct in time of danger and
at the suggestion of the ladies-who
but woman would have thought of
any thing so romantic?-also voted to
place the boy upon the pay roll rs tele-
graph operator
"a happy household we were that
evening, and with many kiss the boy
was put to bed at night. The next
day l was called to the general offices.
and the dispatcher having told his
story, how the orders had been prompt
ly given to hold the freight. there were
no doubts now rs to the person who
had been remiss in duty upon both
occasions. / was rcinStated in my OLD
position, and we Immediately moved
back into the little house you sec yon-
der. which the company's gift allowed
me 10 free from debt; and. yes. that is
the boy running TO meet us nova
proud little fellow upon payday, as
he goes with me to the office. and
stands among :hc men taking their
turn to receive their pay-the pet of
all. My wife fears they will spoil him
with their attention. and the presents
of the ladies on that train.
The operator? Oh! Without stop
ping to learn the result of his second
bIunder he deserted his post. and for
aught know. may be running yet;
for. certainly, 1 have no knowledge of
his future career His error lay in re-
plying that the blue was displayed be-
fore putting it out and then neglect
ing it. When he saw the train pass,
he deliberately tore up the orders.
trusting in his ability to shift the
blame upon me. in the first instance,
but the second was too much. "-M. D.
Holman, IN YOUTHS Companion